nimbus

[ nim-buhs ]

noun

, plural nim·bi [nim, -b, uh, bahy], nim·bus·es.

1. Classical Mythology. a shining cloud sometimes surrounding a deity when on earth.
2. a cloud, aura, atmosphere, etc., surrounding a person or thing:

   The candidate was encompassed with a nimbus of fame.

3. halo ( def 1 ).
4. the type of dense clouds or cloud mass with ragged edges, that yields rain or snow; a rain cloud.
5. (initial capital letter) U.S. Aerospace. one of a series of polar-orbiting meteorological and environmental research satellites, the last of which Nimbus 7, launched 1978, was the first satellite designed to monitor atmospheric pollutants.

nimbus

/ ˈnɪmbəs /

noun

1. 1. a dark grey rain-bearing cloud
   2. ( in combination )

      cumulonimbus clouds

2. 1. an emanation of light surrounding a saint or deity
   2. a representation of this emanation
3. a surrounding aura or atmosphere

nimbus

/ nĭm′bəs /

, Plural nimbi nĭm′bī′

1. A rain cloud.

Derived Forms

• ˈnimbused, adjective

Other Words From

• nimbused adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nimbus¹

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin, “rainstorm, rain cloud, thundercloud, cloud”; akin to Latin nebula and Greek nephélē, néphos “cloud,” and Slavic ( Polish ) niebo “sky, heaven”

Word History and Origins

Origin of nimbus¹

C17: from Latin: cloud, radiance

Example Sentences

As journalists report bolder acts by the renegades, Nimbus and his friends are forced to move further from childhood innocence.

From The Daily Beast

But the nimbus was not worn at all at this early period; such a criterion is therefore inadmissible.

From Project Gutenberg

In one example Mary wears a nimbus, a proof of comparatively late date.

From Project Gutenberg

In later art the hand is sometimes surrounded by a cruciform nimbus, to indicate more clearly its divine character.

From Project Gutenberg

This is a Saint, as he has the nimbus round his head, and from his young and beardless face it is probably St. John.

From Project Gutenberg

Overcast skies of heavy nimbus cloud were the rule and the air was continually charged with drifting snow.

From Project Gutenberg